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HIT WEST END SHOW ANNOUNCES BOOKING TO EXTEND THROUGH TO OCTOBER 2012

Click your heels together, because ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER?s acclaimed new production of The Wizard of Oz been extended to book up to October 2012!

The record breaking London Palladium production has been applauded by critics and audiences alike, so join Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion and Toto for the most magical adventure of all.

DANIELLE HOPE, the winner of the BBC smash hit talent show Over The Rainbow, is Dorothy and stars alongside MICHAEL CRAWFORD as The Wizard together with EDWARD BAKER-DULY (Tin Man), DAVID GANLY (Lion), PAUL KEATING (Scarecrow), EMILY TIERNEY (Glinda) and HANNAH WADDINGHAM (as The Wicked Witch of the West).

The Wizard of Oz combines all the much-loved songs from the Oscar-winning movie score with new songs by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER and TIM RICE marking the first time they have worked together in over 30 years on a new production. These brand new songs include Red Shoes Blues, a new solo for The Wicked Witch of the West; Dorothy?s opening number Nobody Understands Me; and Wonders of the World performed by MICHAEL CRAWFORD as Professor Marvel.

CRAWFORD TO CONTINUE AS THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ!

MICHAEL CRAWFORD is to continue in his starring role of The Wizard in ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER?s new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ.

Michael has been thrilling audiences since the show opened at the LONDON PALLADIUM on 1 March 2011 and now he will star in the iconic role until Sunday 5 February 2012.

In addition to the eponymous role, Michael also plays the characters of The Wizard in disguise as both the doorman and the tour guide in the Emerald City, as well as Professor Marvel, for whom a new song has been specially written, The Wonders of the World. This is one of several brand new songs by ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER and TIM RICE, which also include Red Shoes Blues, a solo for The Wicked Witch of the West and Dorothy?s opening number Nobody Understands Me.

"Danielle Hope does not perform on Tuesdays'

Sophie is off on a Magical Adventure!

Wales' Sophie Evans follows the yellow brick road, over the rainbow and into The London Palladium!

Sophie will perform on Tuesdays and will also perform whilst Danielle in on Holiday see dates above

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Bill Kenwright are delighted to announce that SOPHIE EVANS, the runner-up in the BBC smash hit talent show Over The Rainbow, will play Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at selected performances at The London Palladium next year.

Sophie sang the iconic "Over The Rainbow" in the Glanfa Foyer at the Wales Millennium Centre today, Thursday 22 July, to celebrate her casting at a specially-arranged event in Cardiff with Andrew and Bill.

Sophie captured the hearts of the country as she progressed all the way to the final of Over The Rainbow.

But there is no place like The London Palladium - and Sophie's dreams will now come true as she will play Dorothy every Tuesday in the The Wizard of Oz, next year. Sophie, who is 17 and from Tonypandy, Rhondda also sets off to The Arts Educational School in September, on a year-long musical theatre training course being funded by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Sophie will be performing on Tuesday evenings at 7pm, from Tuesday 8th March, and throughout the weeks of 2nd May,

5th September and 12th September, when winning Dorothy, Danielle Hope, is away.

Andrew Lloyd Webber said, "I am thrilled that Sophie will be joining Danielle and the cast to play her dream role of Dorothy. She is a huge talent and I am very excited to see what she will bring to the role."